Another Rain Delay, and Another Loss to the Nationals in the Most Unlikely Way

Posted by Danielle Wilson

Another game, another rain delay. That's three in the past four games.

Halladay got five innings under his belt before the storms came, but barely made it out alive in the first. He allowed two runs to score, one on Zimmerman's sacrifice fly, and another on Espinosa's RBI single.

Carlos Ruiz backed him up in the second inning, launching a two-run homer to left field which tied the game. Chase Utley went yard in the third inning, putting the Phillies up 3-2.

After the delay, Michael Schwimer came in to make his major league debut for the Phillies. Two pitches in and he allowed a home run to Espinosa which tied the game back up at three. He settled in after that, striking out the side in the seventh inning, and pinch-hitting for himself in between, striking out. It was his first plate appearance in both the majors and minors.

He came back for the eighth inning, and struck out Jayson Werth. In the top of the ninth inning, Michael Martinez came up clutch, singling to center field to score a hustling Ibanez from second.

Young, filthy Antonio Bastardo struck out the first two batters of the inning, but with a 1-2 count, gave up a solo home run to Ian Desmond who tied it up at four. So, so close.

With the bases loaded and one gone for Jonny Gomes, Brad Lidge hit him, and the Nationals won. Wowzers.

The Nationals take the series 2-1, and the Phils will head home to face the Mets. Cliff Lee will start tomorrow against Jon Niese.